Truckies call for more rest stops

THE Australian Trucking Association is getting behind local truckdrivers in a bid to have more rest areas along the Pacific Highway.

TheAustralian Trucking Association (ATA) has called on federal politiciansto deliver 900 extra rest areas on major highways by 2019, under theindustry's plan to amend the Government's new heavy vehicle chargeslegislation.

Last week, Corindi owner driver Mick McLennan told the Coffs Coast Advocate ofhis fury that no new rest areas were built along the new Bonvillebypass, despite new fatigue laws making compulsory resting morefrequent.

Under the amendment proposed by the ATA,the Government would only be able to increase the road user chargebeyond 21 cents per litre if the Chair of Infrastructure Australiacertifies that:

on average, at least 90 extraheavy vehicle rest areas per year have been constructed on the AusLinkNational Network since the last road user charge determination wasissued;

the number and type of rest areasconstructed, their spacing and their amenities are consistent with thegoal of bringing the AusLink National Network into conformity with thenational guidelines by 2019; and

the rest areas make adequate provision for the current and future use of high productivity vehicles.